Used 2010 Mazda 3 Sedan Consumer Reviews
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Mazda 3 Sport GX
Well when I first got this car I was super excited, because I got a great deal and I was sick of driving my corolla for the past 7 years before that. Everything was fine first couple of month and then things started to annoy me. I started having very bad condensation problem on the inside of the car. Went to multiple dealerships and they couldnt fix the problem they suggested I always keep my AC on which i thought was stupid. Next thing is the squeeky breaks as well as my squeeky driver seat when in a certain position. Last thing was I had to replecase one of the belts after 28k and it wasnt covered by warranty i had to dish out $120.
Poor Build Quality
Had always been a Honda or Toyota person, but bought this due to great finance offers. Delivered with 3 small scratches on bottom of door but dealer insist it was done during the 48 hrs I had it. At 10,800 miles, hubcap comes off on interstate, and -- of course -- I had ran over something. Dealer says "we have 1 for $70!!" Nothing better for your bottom line than to make 8 or 900% profit on parts !! Already has wind noise and squeaks, wish Mazda would buy me out of it so I could get something else. Nowhere near as well built as I expected, and I'll never have another Mazda. Looks nice, runs ok, but that's about it. Gas mileage is very good, great brakes, but NO POWER LOCKS !!!
- i Touring SedanMSRP: $6,70013 mi away
- i Touring SedanMSRP: $5,99552 mi away
- i Touring SedanMSRP: $5,69553 mi away
Great car I love it.
I have had the car for only 3 weeks but once you drive it you'll know that is a great car to own. The quality of the interior is great, i would dare to say that is very close to perfection. I do think like other reviewers said that you get more than what you pay for (at least it feels that way).
Bought another one
I just bought my second Mazda 3, hey, why pay 30K for a small Lexus or BMW when you can get the same reliability and quality for a little over half that. I bought a 2010 Mazda 3 and traded in my 2006 Mazda 3 that never let me down as I drove across the country twice. These are really great cars for the money, down the road I may be back for a 2014 !
Awesome Car
Fantastic small car and very fun to drive. Quality is outstanding and features are great for the price. Interior is comparable to many more upscale vehicles. I put on mostly highway miles and average right at 30mpg (S Sport). Back seat is pretty tight but that's expected with this size car. Stick shift is very easy to learn and fun to drive
Powerless
I just bought the 2010 Mazda 3 iTouring. It was a good decision as it is a very nice car. I have noticed that the power is not so hot. I can't think of anything else I would change. Maybe put some more durable interior materials - lots of plastic.
Great price to value ratio
I love this car, traded a 99 Jeep Cherokee on the cash for clunkers program. no regrets so far, it's a lot of fun to drive and the fuel mileage is double that of the Jeep. Build quality seems to be excellent and the car has good acceleration and shifts smoothly and precise.
Best Car, EVER!
I just traded in a 2004 325ci BMW for the 2010 Mazda3 2.0liter. OMG, I am so happy with the trade. It drives like a dream. Tight handling, great gas mileage, very roomy back seat. And the best part: body style is awesome. I plan to drive this car a long time.
Love my new Mazda 3
I have owned my new Mazda for a month. Just love it. I traded in my suv gas guzzler. So I am loving the gas mileage. I know it is not as good a others on mileage but for the style compared to Toyota and Honda I would sacrifice. Im am still getting use to the front grill, it seems to grow on me everyday. This car is so fun to drive compared to my tank I use to have. My first new car was a Mazda 323 back in 1988 loved Mazda then and I am loving Mazda now don't know why I went away from Mazda.
Great Little Car
Replaced a 95 Aerostar (my third) using CARS program. Have a 50 mile RT commute so 17 mpg to 34mpg was impressive. Drives like a Mazda ! I have a 90 Miata and have owned two other Mazdas over the years. Comfortable, tight and responsive. Had to search for a Crystal white with the Dune interior. I don't understand the black interiors that seem to be the norm in small cars. I live in a HOT summer area so every little bit helps. The back seat space is not an issue- if I need to carry more people I use my wife's 07 CRV. The build quality is every bit as good as our Honda and the fun factor far exceeds that of a previous Corolla. Its a great commuter at thousands less than its Japanese competitors
Most fun I've ever had behind the wheel
This is by far the most enjoyment I've ever had driving a vehicle. I traded an '03 Mazda 6 for this M3 and have no regrets. The increase in horespower and better handling was apparent as soon as I took the car for a test drive. Highly recommended.
Rivals the best
I can't believe I am saying this but my Mazda is more fun to drive than my Benz AMG. Hysterical- but true. The responsiveness is better than any vehicle I have owned before- and I have owned nearly every vehicle known to man. I bought this for a daily driver/airport car but find myself driving it more than my other vehicles. Sure the engine is a 4 banger vs. a 8, but its truly the most agile & fun to drive vehicle I have ever had. Decided to go frugal this time around, and so glad I did. Now trying to talk the wife into selling the ML500 for a CX9!
Thrilled
Just picked the car up last week, and am so thrilled with it. So much car for such a great price. Got the i Touring with the 2.0 liter engine, has plenty of pick- up. (Probably the shortest first gear ever, though.) Bose/moonroof package totally worth it- the bose speakers are great. I get constant compliments on the car. People love the new styling. The graphite mica is gorgeous when it's sunny out. I plan on running this thing into the ground- so hopefully reliability will be good.
Love it!
Have had for a few weeks. Great in all ways. Can't wait to drive it. For my wife but I love to slip in. Seats are perfect for a small car, great support. Interior is gorgeous. A lot of fun to drive. Plenty of power. Handles like a Mazda. Not sure that you can get anything close in the price range. Bought it loaded, except nav.
New User New comment
Have just got the car for 3 days. It is a car for my son to replace the Grand AM that he had driven for the past 5 years since I bought it in 95. I drive a 05 BMW 530i and an Outlander. test drive Jetta, Sentra, Corolla and he finally settled on this. I suggest <2.0 engine size, so Jetta was out (only 2.5l). Excellent handling, easy to drive, light steering, nice match interior and external color. Nice panel. Engine very powerful considering a 2.0 engine. Speed up smoothly, efficient brake. Not used to the zig-zag type auto gear shift. too early to comment fuel economy, still on 1st tank.
Zoom-Zooms Past Other 3s... ;)
I've managed to put nearly 5000 miles on this car in the three months I've owned it - it's just that much fun to drive. I have the fully-loaded (navigation, leather seats, AFS headlamps, etc.) model - and my girlfriend thinks that it's hilarious that I literally smile and go "I love this car" every time I push the button and turn it on. It's a winner in every sense - and beats that "other 3-series" car on price, features, and...well, everything.
Glad I 'passed' on the Civic..
Tremendous driving experience..it feels 'tight on corners, has a lot more zip than my Tiburon and gets great mileage. Only owned it for a week but I am extremely happy that i opted for the Mazda rather than the Civic. I bought with my heart and not my head, but now my head agrees :) First tank of gas averaged 31 mpg.
Just a rental by an 04 Mazda 6 V6 owner
Rented a new 3 on a biz trip. This car didn't appear to be very heavily optioned, but I was surprised at how peppy it was. Interstate ride VERY smooth and quiet, just a little wind noise from driver door weatherstripping. Great sound system, great AC.
Take a second look.
I was so used to seeing the older 3 models when I had the chance to see the 2010 it took me a minute to warm up to the new front grill. The rest of the car styling is amazing! The driver cabin looks really cool and the components are high quality. I don't really care for the stereo layout but I only use the AUX in for my iPod so it's not too much of a bother. At times the i sport hesitates during acceleration but for the most part it is very responsive to the throttle, has very little body roll and is a blast to drive. It always puts a smile on my face when I get into the drivers seat. Road noise is almost non existent.
One of the best!
I loved my 2005 Mazda 3 sport sedan as it was a great car. Over 160000 miles on it with absolutely no issues what so ever. This new 2010 model is even better. Better mileage better comfort and better features. Build quality looks to be very good again with fit and finish again at the tops of it's class. I'm six foot 5 inches tall and I fit in this car with no troubles at all. I'm not sure what the other guy was talking about when he said tall people look elsewhere? Compared to it's to closest competitor's, it's got the most room inside for us tall folks. The only other small sedan that can compare comfort wise for us tall folks is the Nissan Sentra. Great buy, great car, recommend!!
Great Car for great price
Traded in a 1998 Navigator for cash for clunkers. Looked at several options before choosing mazda. This car offered more features for less money. Mazda also gave additional 500.00 back which made it even better. So far this car has not disappointed! Love the dark interior and blue tooth especially for my teenagers who will be driving it the most.
Undervalued and Awesome
I purchased my Mazda 3 two months ago over the Honda Civic. The gas mileage is a little lower but the power difference is amazing. The car feels like it should be valued at about $10000 more than the sticker. So far I love it.
Could've been better
Bought almost 3 months ago, and while I like the style, I find it has little substance. I am very disappointed by the gas mileage. Averaging 21 miles in city and 29 on interstate. Should be better for a 4 cylinder. The automatic transmission is slow to respond sometimes. Rear seating is also a little cramp. Should have spent more time looking at other makes.
Picked the Mazda 3 over the Volvo S40
It was time to trade my 2007 Mazda 3 & I was looking at the Volvo S40. The Volvo design was appealing & the size was similar to my 07 Mazda 3. I test drove the 2010 Mazda 3 Grand Touring and the Volvo S40. No comparison! Although I really liked the idea of owning a Volvo (safety & status), it really could not compete w/ the fun-to- drive feel of the Mazda. The sticker price for the LOADED (everything including navi & push-button start) Mazda was $25,900 while the Volvo (with some amenities but nowhere near the options) was $32,000. For the feel of the two, there was just no way to justify a $6,000 difference. And, the 2010 Mazda feels much better than its 2007 predecessor. I love this car!
Amazing...
I have bought *many* cars (bmw, vw's, honda, hyundai, chevy, ford) and this car is the most fun to drive. GREAT bang for the buck and the 'cockpit' is designed so very well--all controls in their correct place. Love it.
awesome
I have owned this car for about 6 weeks now and I can say I absolutely love it. I originally wanted to get the Grand Touring, but they didn't have any in stock and I picked up the s sport instead and I don't regret a thing. I constantly make excuses to go places just so I can drive the car. I may be one of the few who say this but I like the front grill, I enjoy driving something that looks different from the other cars on the road. I have had many compliments on the car and I couldn't be happier driving it.
Absolute best car for the money
I just purchased a 2010 Mazda3 using the CARS program. After a lot of searching for a vehicle, and test driving my fair share, I was turned onto the mazda3 and never looked back. The biggest complaint that most people seem to have is the room, but I tend to disagree. I am 6'5" and I fit in this vehicle better than the many SUV and larger looking vehicles. I will admit that my roominess may be at the expense of my the backseat passengers, but that's just a perk of being the driver! The handling is unreal, and the bluetooth feature autosynchs with my phone the second I start my car. This is the best car I have ever driven.
A Wonderful Car with Loads of Extras
I've only had my car for a week but so far I am real pleased and have no remorse. It really does feel like a small luxury car with all the features and stylings. I cant wait to drive it when I'm sitting at home. I never drove the i version, but the larger engine has lots of zip, no problem passing cars on the road
No keyless entry or alarm
If you want keyless entry and alarm upgrade to the turing model. If you are considering getting a mazda3, consider getting the model above the i sport. Overall, this is a really good car. Only other issues so far is this noise on the passenger side of the car, not sure what it is but will take it back to the dealership to have it checked out.
Amazing Car
This Car offers the best bang for the Buck. Inexpensive, and quick- Fully Loaded if you get the Bose/Moonroof/wheel-lock special- It is only $1,000 more, Other Companies charge much more for those Luxuries. Smooth Ride, Very Energetic Acceleration, Great Cornering, Gorgeous Colors to choose from. Very Sleek look, Makes you feel like you bought an expensive Import, without the headache of spending a lot of money.
Mazda 3 is better than BMW 3
This car is awesome for the money! I had a BMW 3 prior. The Mazda has tons more features and drives and handles just like the BMW did. I think the inside is even better. I actually look forward to driving this car!
Greatest Value for under 18K
You buy the 2010 Mazda3 because you are looking for a car that is under 18k, is practical, safe, economical, reliable, 4 doors and fun, period. I test drove the civic, corolla, subaru impreza, dodge SRT4 and Fit. I must say, the Civic ex came very close. I noticed that the civic had some real low end pep, better mpg, better interior, but in the end, the mazda3 seemed to have a suspension and road feel edge with the benefit of being a redesigned car that was engineered to be fun. A guiltless decision for a 35 year old guy who wanted a Subaru WRX.
Glad I waited...
I had initially planned to purchase a new 3 a year ago, but when I found out Mazda was going to redesign the car, I decided to wait. Glad I did! Finally purchased the car one week ago, and every time I drive it, I am still impressed with all that the car offers compared to the price. From the exterior design to the finish and instrumentation layout inside, this car puts my Toyota to shame. It has been a good while since I owned a Mazda, but from what I have seen so far, I am glad to be back.
Absolutely Fantastic!
I bought my new 3s about two weeks ago and absolutely love it! It is far and away the best vehicle in its class. The ride is smooth and controlled with a poised, well-damped feel that's more typical of premium German cars than compacts. Handling is sharp and nimble and steering is quick and linear. It just drives like a much more expensive car than it is! The 2.5L 4cyl is smooth, revs quickly, and pulls hard all across the rev range. The 6-speed is slick and a joy to row. The interior is ergonomically perfect, impressively designed, and well put together. Exterior design is slick! My only complaints are a small back seat and average fuel economy, though I have been meeting the EPA estimates.
Best Car I tested...and purchased
I test drove several cars, new and used. I must say that this was the most valuable (bang for buck) of the bunch. Very responsive handling, great on gas, and looks are appealing. Coming from a Tacoma its a big change, but well worth it in my eyes.
Best car for under $25000
My mom bought this car for me yesterday. I have loved the mazda3 since the previous model came out. I am absolutely in love with this car. I test drove all the comparisons including ford focus, toyota corolla, honda civic, and vw jetta. This car deff stands out and is the best for your money in every department. The whole car feels like both a bmw and a mercedes in feel and quality of build. I got the gunmetal blue mica and it really makes the car shine! If you like a car where people look and ask you what it is, this is the one for you. I liked this car because it stands out in the parking lot, the design is amazing. The road feel is amazing and everything this car offers is amazing! a must!
You Must Buy a Mazda3
I bought my 2010 mazda for it's appearance inside and out. It takes corners sharply, ride is smooth, easy to handle, feels & looks sporty. Has awesome power. When I drive I feel like saying ZOOM ZOOM! I would recommend. 2010 has traction control which is an upgrade from prior models. Controls on the steering wheel is smart. Air Conditioner cools car down faster than I ever experience and it isn't too cold where you have to turn it down or off - just right.
Better than all
This is by far the most enjoyment I've ever had driving a vehicle.This is by far my best car Ive ever owned, and Ive owned over 50 cars.I paid about 20,000 and it competes with cars in the 30,000 range.I now have 2800 miles and have loved every mile of it.
I will help you decide..Buy it!
I've only had the mazda3 several days and I am very impressed. I was originally looking into the Civic and Corolla just for a commuter, but the exterior and interior style of the Mazda3 really caught my eye. It handles beautifully and you get a lot of car and options for the price. Many of the "expert" reviews indicate the ride is stiff, but that is just opinion. It's not a stiff ride. It's a nice tight sporty suspension that gets excellent mileage, even with the larger 2.5.
happy so far
I'm really enjoying driving my new Mazda. It combines sportiness with practicality while giving me around 30 mpg's. This Grand Touring model is flush with several high end features such as the adaptive xenon headlights, memory drivers seat, and auto on headlights and wipers. My wife insisted on heated leather which we have need for much too often here in Wisconsin. Am currently having an issue with the outside temperature thermometer which is very slow to adjust to the actual temperature. A small problem perhaps but frustrating all the same. It was just such gremlins that led me to trade my 2006 VW Passat for this vehicle in hopes of higher Japanese build quality.
Great car, very satisfied
Well I was looking for a new car, and I looked at at least 15 cars in the $14k-18k segment. I happened upon this little beauty and am very happy. I have the 2.0L iTouring model, and have had it for about a month. It's got about 2100 miles on it, at first I was getting 33- 34mpg, but after breaking it in some, I have got 37mpg on my last 2 fill-ups. It's very fun and sporty to drive, I put the performance at 8, because even though it's faster than anything I've previously owned, I'm not naive enough to think it can outpower some of the more expensive vehicles out there on the road, although this thing has PLENTY of pep, believe you me.
Great Feel, Fun to Drive - minor nuances
Have the car 2 weeks...3i-Touring with sunroof and Bose stereo. Sunroof was a must...too much AC at work. Starting to enjoy stereo. Enjoying use of trans manual mode...merging at on-ramps, especially clover leafs. One real tank of gas_30.9 mpg mostly hwy at 75. Car is fun to drive...as much as work commute allows. Driven on local curvy, country roads, handling was great and took turns well... ZoomZoom is a good description. Purchased because of fun styling and driving...compared with 9 other vehicles (compact and midsize)...replaced a 7-yr old, 6cyl GM. MPG may not match hybrid, diesel or Civic/Corolla...but FUN to drive!! "Punch down" acceleration not my old 6cyl...but knew it going in.
The King of Compacts
I test drove many cars before making my purchase. I liked the aggressive look of the Lancer GTS, but I could not resist the expensive feel of the Mazda. I feel like there are very few cars that compare on all levels. I put 10000 miles on my car in 3 months of driving- including a few roadtrips. The car is comfortable enough for me and easy to drive. All of the common controls feel right at my fingertips and can be operated without looking. The engine is smooth and powerful during regular driving and there is a subtle but pleasant exhaust note. I have a Celestial Blue sedan with a few enhancements such as aftermarket wheels. The front end has really grown on me and looks good from many angles
First New Car
I purchased this car about 4 months ago and so far I absolutely love it. When I get in I feel like I'm slipping into a glove which will do what I want when I ask it to. All of the features combined just make it a joy to drive while also very relaxing. You can really tell this is a 2010 vehicle - everything just seems well thought out, well designed, well implemented, and high quality. If I were to do it over again though I'd probably get the hatchback for slightly better utility since its a big change going from owning a pickup to a compact sedan.
GREAT CAR!
I don't usually follow up to write reviews, but this car is awesome! I only had about $18,000 to spend on a new car and wanted to get the most bang for my buck. I had driven a 99 Protege for 10 years and loved the reliability of the Mazda brand. After looking at the Corolla, Elantra, Civic and Altima - the Mazda 3 stood out as the best pick. IMO, the Mazda 3 exceeded all of the other cars in terms of looks, quality and performance for the money. I park next to a BMV and Acura every day at work and feel that my new Mazda 3 looks just as great as those cars do. Now I look forward to my morning commute because I get to drive such a nice car. Honestly, I couldn't be happier with my pick!
So much better then a Honda Civic
I was a loyal honda civic fan but when I was shopping for a new car I had to look around. After extensive test drives and comparisons of fuel economy, price, reviews and resale value (I'm an MBA student so I had a little too much fun with it). Anyways, hands down the Mazda3 was way ahead of the game... then I drove it- and fell in love. It drives like a sports car, it makes driving fun. It gets the same mpg as a Honda Civic but costs less. I've put about 2K in 2 months on it and I have no complaints at all. Really it's a great car and a great value.
Keeps me smiling
On paper this is not the car I wanted. I wanted a status symbol, something flashy and powerful. But the reality of my 7 mile commute (with 8 stop lights) made the ideal of some 300 hp monster seem a bit absurd. Enter the mazda 3 gt, fully loaded, it has all the gadgets I wanted, uses regular fuel, and costs a heck of lot less. Steering is nimble and quick. fit and finish is excellent. Good power, can chirp the front tires even with dsc on. I find myself grinning while driving. . . just because.Taking a corner at 40 mph, better than a latte to get the heart going in the morning. Drives like a smaller car, think miata with 4 doors.
Fun to drive good looking sedan
I drove an 2006 Mazda 3 iTouring for about three years before buying my 2010 3s. This car definitely steps up the included features without doing much to the price. For under 20K you get a lot of power and a good feature set vs Honda, Toyota, etc. The ride is actually a bit louder than before but overall this is the same car I loved in 2006 with more features and refinements.
Buyer's Remorse Does a 180
I had considered replacing the timing belt on my 2003 Honda Civic and keeping it for another 100,000 miles but I decided, somewhat impulsively, to get a new car. I test drove the new Civic but didn't like the drive-by-wire delay when punching the throttle. Handling and acceleration are much enjoyed. Fuel economy is not that big of an issue - as long as it's in the same ballpark as its competitors. This is the first automatic I've owned in a long while. I'm used to it and I like it.
Fun Little Car
The Mazda has been a fun car to own. I have driven to Las Vegas and Arizona within the past few weeks and it has performed great.